Providing haptic feedback on a screen

ABSTRACT

A computer system associates one or more haptic feedbacks with one or more user activities. The computer system monitors current user activity on a computing device to determine whether the current user activity corresponds to at least one of the one or more user activities. In response to determining that the current user activity corresponds to a first user activity of the one or more user activities, the computer system causes a first haptic feedback of the one or more haptic feedbacks to be provided on the computing device, wherein the first haptic feedback is associated with the first user activity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to providing haptic feedback,and more particularly to providing haptic feedback on an electronicscreen.

BACKGROUND

In today's age, users have an ever-increasing number of applications ontheir computing devices and mobile devices. With the large number ofapplications present on a computing device or mobile device, companieshave an increasing desire to have their application stand out. Somemethods in which companies try to stand out is through the creation ofan interesting or unique logo, or a catchy name. However, with theincreasing sophistication of computing devices and mobile devices, itmay be beneficial for companies to identify additional technologicalways in which they can distinguish their applications from the masses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a haptic feedback system, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the touch programof FIG. 1 in identifying haptic feedback associated with one or moreapplications, and providing the appropriate haptic feedback based onengagement with the one or more applications, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the touch programof FIG. 1 in identifying haptic feedback associated with a useractivity, and providing the appropriate haptic feedback based onidentifying the user activity, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the haptic feedback systemof FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of haptic feedback associated with anapplication being provided based on detected engagement with theapplication, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of haptic feedback associated with a useractivity being provided based on detecting the user activity, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting the hardware components of thehaptic feedback system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system, method, andprogram product. A computer system associates one or more hapticfeedbacks with one or more user activities. The computer system monitorscurrent user activity on a computing device to determine whether thecurrent user activity corresponds to at least one of the one or moreuser activities. In response to determining that the current useractivity corresponds to a first user activity of the one or more useractivities, the computer system causes a first haptic feedback of theone or more haptic feedbacks to be provided on the computing device,wherein the first haptic feedback is associated with the first useractivity.

In the example embodiment, the present disclosure describes a solutionto the problem of providing an option for a company to associate ahaptic feedback with an application. This solution allows an applicationon a user device to have an additional level of expression that goesbeyond just a visual look of an application on a user display. In theexample embodiment, the present disclosure describes a solution thatincludes identifying a haptic feedback that is associated with theapplication. The present disclosure further describes monitoring useractivity and determining whether the user activity is within a thresholddistance of the application on the display of the computing device. Inresponse to determining that the monitored user activity is within thethreshold distance of the application on the display of the computingdevice, the present disclosure further describes providing theidentified haptic feedback to the user.

In the example embodiment, the present disclosure describes a solutionthat associates one or more haptic feedbacks with specific useractivities. This solution may be utilized to provide haptic feedback,such as resistance, that helps a user avoid making a purchase that isnot in his/her best interest, to guide a user to a certain paymentoption, or to personalize certain functions based on informationassociated with the user. In the example embodiment, the presentdisclosure describes a solution that includes monitoring user activityand determining whether the monitored user activity corresponds to oneor more haptic feedbacks. In response to determining that the monitoreduser activity does not correspond to one or more haptic feedbacks, thepresent disclosure describes a solution that continues monitoring useractivity. In response to determining that the monitored user activitycorresponds to one or more haptic feedbacks, the present disclosuredescribes a solution that provides the determined one or more hapticfeedbacks to the user.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates haptic feedback system 100, in accordance with anembodiment. In the example embodiment, haptic feedback system 100includes computing device 110, which may connect to other computingdevices via a network.

In the example embodiment, computing device 110 includes touch program112, database 114, application 116, application 118, and application120.

In the example embodiment, application 116, application 118, andapplication 120 are each an application such as a social mediaapplication, a financial application, a web browser, or another type ofapplication. In the example embodiment, application 116, application118, and application 120 are each different types of applications,however, in other embodiments, they may have be related applications.

Database 114 includes electronic content/information that details one ormore haptic feedbacks that are associated with one or more correspondingapplications. In addition, in the example embodiment, database 114 mayinclude one or more haptic feedbacks that are associated with one ormore user activities. In addition, in the example embodiment, database114 may include may include user information of the user of computingdevice 110, including usage information corresponding to each ofapplication 116, application 118, and application 120. Database 114 isdescribed in further detail with regard to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 is a program capable ofidentifying one or more haptic feedbacks that are associated with anapplication or multiple applications located on computing device 110. Inone or more embodiments, touch program 112 may be capable of associatingone or more haptic feedbacks with an application or multipleapplications located on computing device 110. Furthermore, touch program112 is capable of monitoring user activity on computing device 110 anddetermining whether the user activity is within a threshold distance ofan application that is associated with one or more haptic feedbacks.Touch program 112 is further capable of providing the associated one ormore haptic feedbacks to the user of computing device 110 responsive todetermining that the user activity is within the threshold distance ofan application associated with one or more haptic feedbacks.

Furthermore, touch program 112 is capable of identifying one or morehaptic feedbacks that are associated with a user activity. In one ormore embodiments, touch program 112 may be capable of associating one ormore haptic feedbacks with a user activity. In addition, touch program112 is capable of monitoring user activity and determining whether amonitored user activity corresponds to one or more haptic feedbacks.Touch program 112 is further capable of providing the associated one ormore haptic feedbacks to the user of computing device 110 responsive todetermining that the monitored user activity corresponds to one or morehaptic feedbacks.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of touch program 112in identifying haptic feedback associated with one or more applications,and providing the appropriate haptic feedback based on engagement withthe one or more applications, in accordance with an embodiment.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 identifies haptic feedbackto associate with each of one or more applications (step 202). In theexample embodiment, touch program 112 may receive input from the user ofcomputing device 110 detailing haptic feedback to associate with each ofthe one or more applications (application 116, application 118, andapplication 120). In other embodiments, touch program 112 maycommunicate with application servers corresponding to each of the one ormore applications and determine a haptic feedback to associate with eachrespective application based on information provided by thecorresponding application server. For example, touch program 112 mayreceive information from an application server associated withapplication 116 that may communicate that a vibration feedbacksimulating a heartbeat should be associated with application 116. Touchprogram 112 may then associate the vibration feedback with application116 in database 114.

Touch program 112 may monitor user activity of the user of computingdevice 110 (step 204). In the example embodiment, monitoring useractivity may include touch program 112 communicating with the operatingsystem of computing device 110 to identify the portion of the displayedcontent that the user of computing device 110 is interacting with.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 may determine whether thecurrent user activity of the user of computing device 110 includes anactivity that is within a threshold distance of an applicationassociated with a haptic feedback (decision 206). In the exampleembodiment, the “current user activity” of the user of computing device110 may include user activity that is currently taking place, or hastaken place within a threshold time period of the current time. Forexample, “current user activity” may include user activity that hastaken place in the past 2 seconds. Furthermore, in the exampleembodiment, determining that the current user activity includes anactivity within the threshold distance of an application that isassociated with the haptic feedback may include determining that theuser of computing device 110 is hovering (for example by utilizing acursor) over the portion of the displayed content corresponding to theapplication (application icon), determining that the user is usinghis/her finger to interact with the application icon, determining thatthe user is utilizing a cursor or pointer to navigate within a thresholddistance of the application icon, and/or the like. For example, based oncommunication with the operating system of computing device 110, touchprogram 112 may determine that the user of computing device 110 isinteracting with a portion of the content displayed on computing device110 that corresponds to application 116 (which corresponds to a firsttype of haptic feedback) by way of determining that the user ofcomputing device 110 has utilized his/her finger to make contact with aportion of the display screen that corresponds to the application icon.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 may continuously identifywhether a monitored current user activity corresponds to a hapticfeedback by cross-referencing the monitored user activity againstdatabase 114, which in the example embodiment, includes informationdescribing one or more applications and one or more corresponding hapticfeedbacks. In other embodiments, touch program 112 may, first identifythe applications that are associated with one or more correspondinghaptic feedbacks, and then monitor user activity to determine if amonitored current user activity occurs within a threshold distance of anidentified application. Furthermore, in the example embodiment, eachapplication has the same associated threshold distance, while in otherembodiments, each or some of the applications may have a differentassociated threshold distance, which may additionally be stored indatabase 114 in association with the corresponding application.

If touch program 112 determines that the current user activity ofcomputing device 110 does not include an activity that is within thethreshold distance of an application associated with a haptic feedback(decision 206, “NO” branch), touch program 112 continues to monitor useractivity on computing device 110 as described above.

If touch program 112 determines that the current user activity ofcomputing device 110 includes an activity that is within the thresholddistance of an application that is associated with a haptic feedback(decision 206, “YES” branch), touch program 112 provides the hapticfeedback associated with the relevant application (step 208). In theexample embodiment, touch program 112 provides the haptic feedbackassociated with the relevant application by utilizingelectro-static/electro-vibration techniques to increase or decrease aphysical resistance on a portion of the display screen, or to provideanother type of haptic sensation as described below. In the exampleembodiment, touch program 112 may alter utilize electro-statictechniques to alter the friction encountered as a user's finger glidesacross the display screen of computing device 110 which can be utilizedto increase or decrease a physical resistance felt by the user ofcomputing device 110.

In one example, an application, such as application 116 may beassociated with a haptic feedback that simulates a heart-beat. Touchprogram 112 may provide the haptic feedback utilizing, for example, amicro-vibration motor, to provide a beating haptic sensation upondetection by touch program 112 that the user of computing device 110 hasmade contact with a portion of the display screen of computing device110 that corresponds to an application icon of application 116. Inanother example, touch program 112 may utilize electro-static techniquesto provide friction point (or points) and then subsequently remove thefriction points (or points) at a high enough speed that it simulates aheart-beat. In a further example, touch program 112 may utilizeelectro-static techniques in conjunction with providing (and removingfriction points) in order to simulate a heart-beat (or simulate anothersensation). In this example, the beating haptic sensation would beprovided to the user of computing device 110 in the portion of thedisplay screen of computing device 110 that corresponds to theapplication icon of application 116, while in other embodiments, thebeating haptic sensation may be provided in a different location withinthe display screen or throughout the entire computing device. In afurther embodiment, touch program 112 may identify a heart rate of theuser of computing device 110 utilizing one or more sensors, and furtherutilize the techniques described above to provide a haptic sensationthat mimics the heart-beat of the user of computing device 110.

In another example, an application, such as application 118 may beassociated with a haptic feedback that corresponds to a temperaturechange. Touch program 112 may provide the haptic feedback by, forexample, overclocking certain components of computing device 110 so thata certain portion of the display screen is warmer than other portions,providing a warm temperature sensation upon detection by touch program112 that the user of computing device 110 has made contact with theportion of the display screen of computing device 110 that correspondsto an application icon of application 118. In this example, the warmtemperature haptic sensation would be provided to the user of computingdevice 110 in the portion of the display screen of computing device 110that corresponds to the application icon of application 118, however, inother embodiments, the warm temperature haptic sensation may be providedin a different location within the display screen or throughout theentire computing device. In this example, each of application 116,application 118, and application 120 may have a different temperatureassociated with it, and therefore, may provide another level ofuniqueness to the application icon.

In a further example, an application, such as application 120 may beassociated with a haptic feedback that corresponds to a brail sensation,where information, such as the application name may be provided to theuser of computing device 110 in brail. Touch program 112 may provide thehaptic feedback utilizing, in the example embodiment, electro-statictechniques to alter the friction encountered across the display screenin a manner so as to simulate friction forces perceived by a humanfinger when it slides over a real bump. A person perceives a bump (areal bump) largely because lateral friction forces stretch and compressskin on the sliding finger. Therefore, based on this principle, touchprogram 112 may utilize electro-static techniques as described above tocreate friction points on the display screen that may be used to providefriction in a manner that simulates the friction that would be felt by afinger of a user that is encountering an actual bump (or bumps)corresponding to a brail word or phrase. In one example, in creating afriction point(s) touch program 112 may calculate the gradient of thevirtual surface desired to be rendered (i.e.—surface with a brail bump),determine the dot product of the gradient of the virtual surface andvelocity of the sliding finger, and map the dot-product to the voltageusing a determined psychophysical relationship between the voltageapplied to the display and the subjective strength of friction forces.In other embodiments, touch program 112 may utilize other methods aswould be known to one skilled in the art.

Touch program 112 may implement the techniques described upon detectionby touch program 112 that the user of computing device 110 has madecontact with a portion of the display screen of computing device 110that corresponds to an application icon of application 118. In thisexample, the friction points would be provided to the user of computingdevice 110 in the portion of the display screen of computing device 110that corresponds to the application icon of application 118, however, inother embodiments, the friction points (used to simulate brail bumps)may be provided in a different location within the display screen orthroughout the entire display screen. Furthermore, in furtherembodiments, the friction points may be provided to the user ofcomputing device 110 in response to a “brail option” being toggled oncomputing device 110. While in the example embodiment, touch program 112utilizes the friction points to simulate brail bumps on the displayscreen of computing device 110, in other embodiments, touch program 112may utilize friction points to simulate other types of bumps on thedisplay screen of computing device 110.

The examples above are not an exhaustive list of haptic sensations thatmay be provided by utilizing the techniques or the combination oftechniques described above, and in one or more embodiments, other hapticsensations known by a person skilled in the art may be provided by touchprogram 112 to the user of computing device 110.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of the touch program112 in identifying haptic feedback associated with a user activity, andproviding the appropriate haptic feedback based on identifying the useractivity, in accordance with an embodiment.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 identifies haptic feedbackto associate with each of one or more user activities (step 302). In theexample embodiment, touch program 112 may receive input from the user ofcomputing device 110 detailing haptic feedback to associate with each ofthe one or more user activities. In other embodiments, touch program 112may determine a haptic feedback to associate with a user activity basedon a pre-defined set of rules. For example, if based on analyzingfinancial information associated the user of computing device 110 (suchas by communicating with financial application servers), touch program112 determines that the user of computing device 110 frequently has abank account balance in a primary bank account that is below a thresholdlevel, touch program 112 may associate a resistance feedback with anyuser activity associated with purchases above a certain amount of money,or alternatively purchases of a certain type. For example, the purchasesof a certain type may include purchases made a certain times of the day(such as in the middle of the night), purchases of certain items,purchases from certain stores/merchants, and/or the like. In oneexample, if touch program 112 determines (by communicating with a bankserver, or an application server) that a specific purchase will resultin insufficient funds in a bank account (such as resulting in anoverdrawn account) being used to perform the transaction, touch program112 may associate (in for example, database 114) a haptic feedback ofadditional swiping resistance (by way of additional resistance asdescribed above) to the user activity of swiping on the display screenfor a purchase authentication. Similarly, if touch program 112determines that a credit card limit has been reached, touch program 112may associate a haptic feedback of additional swiping resistance to theuser activity of swiping on the display screen for a purchaseauthentication. In the example embodiment, touch program 112 determinesthe portion of the display screen that corresponds to the purchaseauthentication icon or interface element and adds the additional swipingresistance, for example, via electro-static means, to the correspondingportion of the display screen of computing device 110.

In another example, touch program 112 may determine that a first paymentoption is a preferred payment option (through user input or based onmonitoring user payment habits), and based on determining that the firstpayment option is a preferred payment option, touch program 112 mayassociate a haptic feedback of additional swiping resistance to the useractivity of swiping on a portion of the display screen that correspondsto an interface element that represents a selection or authentication ofa payment option other than the first payment option. Furthermore, touchprogram 112 may reduce swiping resistance (utilizing electro-statictechniques to reduce friction as described above) for the user activityof swiping on a portion of the display screen that corresponds to aninterface element that represents a selection or authentication of thefirst payment option (preferred payment option).

In further embodiments, touch program 112 may communicate withapplication servers corresponding to one or more applications (such asapplication 116, 118, and 120), and determine a haptic feedback toassociate with one or more user activities within each respectiveapplication based on information provided by the application servers.For example, touch program 112 may receive information from anapplication server associated with application 116 that may communicatethat a haptic feedback of additional swiping resistance should beassociated with the user activity corresponds to swiping on a portion ofthe display screen (of computing device 110) corresponding to aninterface element that represents a selection or authentication of apayment within application 116, due to application 116 determining thatthe credit of the user of computing device 110 is too low, or due to anoutstanding balance within application 116 being above a certain limit.Touch program 112 may then associate, in database 114, the swipingresistance feedback with the specific user activity of performing apurchase within application 116. Furthermore, in an alternateembodiment, touch program 112 may determine to associate the swipingresistance feedback with the specific activity of performing a purchasewithin application 116, for example, based on touch program 112determining that an outstanding balance with application 116 is above acertain limit.

Touch program 112 may monitor user activity of the user of computingdevice 110 (step 304). In the example embodiment, monitoring useractivity may include touch program 112 communicating with the operatingsystem of computing device 110 to identify the portion of the displayedcontent that the user of computing device 110 is interacting with.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 may determine whether thecurrent user activity of the user of computing device 110 includes anactivity that is associated with a haptic feedback (decision 306). Inthe example embodiment, as stated above, the “current user activity” ofthe user of computing device 110 may include user activity that iscurrently taking place, or has taken place within a threshold timeperiod of the current time. For example, “current user activity” mayinclude user activity that has taken place in the past 2 seconds.

Furthermore, in an example, if touch program 112 associates the useractivity of swiping on a portion of the display screen that correspondsto an interface element for a purchase authentication with a hapticfeedback of additional swiping resistance, touch program 112 may monitorfor user activity that may include determining that the user ofcomputing device 110 is hovering (for example by utilizing a cursor)over the portion of the displayed content corresponding to the interfaceelement, determining that the user is using his/her finger to interactwith the interface element, determining that the user is utilizing acursor or pointer to navigate within a threshold distance of theinterface element, and the like. Referring to the example, based oncommunication with the operating system of computing device 110, iftouch program 112 determines that the user of computing device 110 isutilizing his/her finger to interact with (or swipe) a portion of thedisplay screen on computing device 110 that corresponds to the interfaceelement for a purchase element, touch program 112 may determine that themonitored user activity corresponds to a user activity associated with ahaptic feedback.

In the example embodiment, touch program 112 may continuously identifywhether a monitored current user activity corresponds to a hapticfeedback by cross-referencing the monitored user activity againstdatabase 114, which in the example embodiment, includes informationdescribing one or more user activities and one or more correspondinghaptic feedbacks. In other embodiments, touch program 112 may, firstidentify the one or more user activities that are associated with one ormore corresponding haptic feedbacks, and then monitor user activity todetermine if a monitored current user activity occurs that includes atleast one of the one or more user activities.

If touch program 112 determines that the current user activity ofcomputing device 110 does not include an activity that is associatedwith a haptic feedback (decision 306, “NO” branch), touch program 112continues to monitor user activity on computing device 110 as describedabove.

If touch program 112 determines that the current user activity ofcomputing device 110 includes an activity that is associated with ahaptic feedback (decision 306, “YES” branch), touch program 112 providesthe haptic feedback associated with the user activity (step 308). In theexample embodiment, touch program 112 provides the haptic feedbackassociated with the relevant application by utilizing electro-statictechniques to increase or decrease a physical resistance on a portion ofthe display screen, or to provide another type of haptic sensation asdescribed above, and additionally further described below.

For example, referring to the example above, where touch program 112associates the user activity of swiping on a portion of the displayscreen that corresponds to an interface element for a purchaseauthentication with a haptic feedback of additional swiping resistance,if touch program 112 determines that the user of computing device 110 isutilizing his/her finger to interact with (or swipe) a portion of thedisplay screen on computing device 110 that corresponds to the interfaceelement for a purchase element, touch program 112 may determine that themonitored user activity corresponds to a user activity associated with ahaptic feedback, and further provide the associated haptic feedback tothe user (i.e. additional swiping resistance which may make it moredifficult for the user to make a purchase).

In another example, touch program 112 may associate the user activity ofhovering or navigating within a threshold distance of a non-preferredpayment option presented on a display screen of computing device 110with additional navigational resistance. Therefore, in this example, iftouch program 112 determines that the current user activity on computingdevice 110 includes the user, for example utilizing a pointer tonavigate towards the non-preferred payment option, touch program 112 mayprovide the haptic feedback of additional resistance to a portion of thedisplay screen that corresponds to an interface element of thenon-preferred payment option and/or an area around the interfaceelement. The additional resistance may make it more difficult for theuser of computing device 110 to navigate to the non-preferred paymentoption. Furthermore, touch program 112 may provide additional resistancearound the pointer to help guide the user to an area of the displayscreen that corresponds to an interface element of the preferred paymentoption. For example, the user may be met with resistance when trying tonavigate in all other directions that do not lead to the interfaceelement of the preferred payment option. Additionally, in this example,the resistance may be provided only upon detection by touch program 112that all required information corresponding to the displayed content hasbeen filled out. In other words, for the example of a checkout page, anaddress and a name may be required in addition to a selection of apayment option. In this example, touch program 112 may provide theadditional resistance upon determination that the address and nameinformation has been completed by the user.

In a further example, touch program 112 may identify areas of interestcorresponding to the user of computing device 110, for example, byreferencing social media information, personal information, and thelike. Touch program 112 may then associate a user activity within athreshold distance of an area of interest, such as content of interestor a topic of interest, with a haptic feedback, which providesresistance to lead the user to the area of interest. Furthermore, iftouch program 112 determines that a current user activity is within athreshold distance to an area of interest, such as a displayed contentcorresponding to a topic of interest to the user, touch program 112 mayprovide resistance to certain portions of the display of computingdevice 110 so that the user (or a cursor of the user) is led to the areaof interest.

In another example, touch program 112 may additionally be capable ofdetecting a view direction of a user with regard to computing device110, and further may be capable of analyzing an eye movement pattern ofthe user of computing device 110 to determine whether the user iscurrently reading a specific portion of the displayed content oncomputing device 110. Therefore, in this example, touch program 112 mayadd additional resistance to a scrolling feature of computing device110, if touch program 112 determines that the user of computing device110 is reading or viewing a specific portion of content that may be outof display if the user scrolls down. In other words, in one example, theuser of computing device 110 may accidentally scroll down a page (forexample by utilizing his/her finger, or a cursor) which may cause aportion of view content be moved out of display. The present solutiondescribed may add additional resistance to prevent the user of computingdevice 110 from accidentally scrolling away from content being viewed,based on touch program 112 determining that a specific portion of thedisplayed content is being viewed. Furthermore, based on determiningthat the specific portion of content is being viewed by the user ofcomputing device 110, touch program 112 may calculate an amount ofscrolling that may be allowed, for example, touch program 112 may allowan amount of scrolling that would not push the specific portion ofcontent being viewed off the display. Beyond the determined amount,touch program 112 may provide additional resistance to preventaccidental scrolling past the allowed amount.

In another example, touch program 112 may additionally provideadditional resistance in response to determining that an authenticationof the user of computing device 110 is being performed. For example, ifone or more fingerprint sensors are present on a display screen ofcomputing device 110, touch program 112 may provide additionalresistance to help guide the user of computing device 110 to the areasof the display screen that contain the fingerprint sensors. Furthermore,the area of the display screen that contains the fingerprint sensors mayadditionally be represented as a friction point(s) that simulate a bumpor bumps by way of touch program 112 utilizing electro-static techniquesas described above.

In another example, touch program 112 may utilize electro-statictechniques to provide a different level of resistance or friction pointsto different interface elements. For example, an “Okay” Button or “Next”Button in a user interface may be associated with a specific type offeel, while a “Checkout” Button may be associated with a different typeof feel. Therefore, touch program 112 may utilize electro-statictechniques to create a friction point(s) that simulates a bump with afirst type of feel for an interface element corresponding to an “Okay”Button, and may further create a friction point(s) that simulate a bumpwith a second type of feel for an interface element corresponding to a“Checkout” Button. Furthermore, touch program 112 may utilize thetechniques described so that an interface element corresponding to apreferred payment option has a different feel than an interface elementcorresponding to a non-preferred payment option. Furthermore, touchprogram 112 may utilize electro-static techniques to lessen theresistance experienced by the user of computing device 110 when swipingan interface element that corresponds to a preferred payment option whencompared to an amount of resistance experienced by the user of computingdevice 110 when swiping interface elements corresponding tonon-preferred payment options.

Furthermore, touch program 112 may additionally provide additionalresistance in response to determining that an authentication such as aCAPTCHA® (Captcha is a trademark of Carnegie Mellon University) type ofauthentication is being performed. For example, rather than providingCaptcha authentication that must be entered by the user, touch program112 may prompt the user of computing device 110 to locate and press acertain portion (or portions) of the display screen of computing device110. Touch program 112 may provide additional resistance to help guidethe user of computing device 110 to the certain portion of the displayscreen, and further may represent the certain portion as a frictionpoint(s) that simulate a bump or bumps as described above.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a haptic feedback system,haptic feedback system 400, in accordance with an embodiment. In theexample embodiment, haptic feedback system 400 includes computing device110, server 440, server 450, and server 460 all interconnected vianetwork 430.

In the example embodiment, network 430 is the Internet, representing aworldwide collection of networks and gateways to support communicationsbetween devices connected to the Internet. Network 430 may include, forexample, wired, wireless or fiber optic connections. In otherembodiments, network 430 may be implemented as an intranet, a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). In general, network 430 canbe any combination of connections and protocols that will supportcommunications between computing device 110, server 440, server 450, andserver 460.

Server 440 includes application 446 and database 444. In the exampleembodiment, server 440 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a mobile device, a handheld device, a thin client, orany other electronic device or computing system capable of receiving andsending data to and from other computing devices, such as computingdevice 110, via network 430. Although not shown, optionally, server 440can comprise a cluster of servers executing the same software tocollectively process requests as distributed by a front-end server and aload balancer. In the example embodiment, server 440 is a server thatsupports application 446, which is a server side application ofapplication 116 (client application). Server 440 is described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 7.

In the example embodiment, database 444 may include electroniccontent/information that details one or more haptic feedbacks that areassociated with the user of computing device 110 with regard toapplication 116. For example, database 444 may include information thatincludes a haptic feedback that is associated with application 116, andfurthermore, may include one or more haptic feedbacks associated withone or more other client side applications of application 446. Inaddition, in the example embodiment, database 444 may include userinformation, including usage information, corresponding to one or moreclient side applications of application 446, such as user informationcorresponding to application 116.

Server 450 includes application 456 and database 454. In the exampleembodiment, server 450 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a mobile device, a handheld device, a thin client, orany other electronic device or computing system capable of receiving andsending data to and from other computing devices, such as computingdevice 110, via network 430. Although not shown, optionally, server 450can comprise a cluster of servers executing the same software tocollectively process requests as distributed by a front-end server and aload balancer. In the example embodiment, server 450 is a server thatsupports application 456, which is a server side application ofapplication 118 (client application). Server 450 is described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 7.

In the example embodiment, database 454 may include electroniccontent/information that details one or more haptic feedbacks that areassociated with the user of computing device 110 with regard toapplication 118. For example, database 454 may include information thatincludes a haptic feedback that is associated with application 118, andfurthermore, may include one or more haptic feedbacks associated withone or more other client side applications of application 456. Inaddition, in the example embodiment, database 454 may include userinformation, including usage information, corresponding to one or moreclient side applications of application 456, such as user informationcorresponding to application 118.

Server 460 includes application 466 and database 464. In the exampleembodiment, server 460 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, atablet computer, a mobile device, a handheld device, a thin client, orany other electronic device or computing system capable of receiving andsending data to and from other computing devices, such as computingdevice 110, via network 430. Although not shown, optionally, server 460can comprise a cluster of servers executing the same software tocollectively process requests as distributed by a front-end server and aload balancer. In the example embodiment, server 460 is a server thatsupports application 466, which is a server side application ofapplication 120 (client application). Server 460 is described in moredetail with reference to FIG. 7.

In the example embodiment, database 464 may include electroniccontent/information that details one or more haptic feedbacks that areassociated with the user of computing device 110 with regard toapplication 120. For example, database 464 may include information thatincludes a haptic feedback that is associated with application 120, andfurthermore, may include one or more haptic feedbacks associated withone or more other client side applications of application 466. Inaddition, in the example embodiment, database 464 may include mayinclude user information, including usage information, corresponding toone or more client side applications of application 466, such as userinformation corresponding to application 120.

In this alternate embodiment (haptic feedback system 400), touch program112 may communicate with server 440, server 450, and server 460 in orderto determine the one or more haptic feedbacks to provide the user ofcomputing device 110, based on a detected current user activity within athreshold distance of an application associated with a haptic feedback,or based on detection of a current user activity that is associated witha haptic feedback.

In other embodiments, application 446 may utilize touch program tomonitor current user activity on computing device 110 in relation toapplication 116. Based on a detecting that the current user activity oncomputing device 110 is within a specific threshold distance ofapplication 116 and/or based on detecting that the current user activityon computing device 110, for example within application 116, correspondsto one or more haptic feedbacks, application 446 may transmit a signalto touch program 112 to provide an appropriate haptic feedback to theuser of computing device, in the same manner as described above.Furthermore, application 456 and application 466 may perform similarfunctions to provide the user of computing device 110 one or more hapticfeedbacks.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of device 500 and further depicts a hapticfeedback associated with an application being provided based on detectedengagement with the application, in accordance with an embodiment. Inthe example embodiment, navigation point 502 is an illustration of afinger of a user, a cursor, or a stylus being utilized to engage with aspecific interface element corresponding to an application. Furthermore,in the example embodiment, the application is associated with a hapticfeedback, which is then provided to the user.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of device 600 and further depicts a hapticfeedback associated with a user activity being provided based ondetecting the user activity, in accordance with an embodiment. In theexample embodiment, navigation point 602 is an illustration of a fingerof a user, a cursor, or a stylus being utilized to engage with aspecific interface element that corresponds to a purchaseauthentication. Furthermore, in the example embodiment, the useractivity of engaging with the interface element that corresponds to apurchase authentication is associated with a haptic feedback, which isthen provided to the user.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit thedisclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may beapparent to a person skilled in the art of the disclosure are intendedto be included within the scope of the disclosure as defined by theaccompanying claims.

FIG. 7 depicts a block diagram of components of computing devicescontained in haptic feedback system 100 of FIG. 1 and haptic feedbacksystem 400 in FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment. It should beappreciated that FIG. 7 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Computing devices may include one or more processors 702, one or morecomputer-readable RAMs 704, one or more computer-readable ROMs 706, oneor more computer readable storage media 708, device drivers 712,read/write drive or interface 714, network adapter or interface 716, allinterconnected over a communications fabric 718. Communications fabric718 may be implemented with any architecture designed for passing dataand/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors,communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheraldevices, and any other hardware components within a system.

One or more operating systems 710, and one or more application programs711, for example, touch program 112, are stored on one or more of thecomputer readable storage media 708 for execution by one or more of theprocessors 702 and by utilizing one or more of the respective RAMs 704(which typically include cache memory). In the illustrated embodiment,each of the computer readable storage media 708 may be a magnetic diskstorage device of an internal hard drive, CD-ROM, DVD, memory stick,magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, a semiconductor storagedevice such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, flash memory or any othercomputer-readable tangible storage device that can store a computerprogram and digital information.

Computing devices may also include a R/W drive or interface 714 to readfrom and write to one or more portable computer readable storage media726. Application programs 711 on the computing devices may be stored onone or more of the portable computer readable storage media 726, readvia the respective R/W drive or interface 714 and loaded into therespective computer readable storage media 708.

Computing devices may also include a network adapter or interface 716,such as a TCP/IP adapter card or wireless communication adapter (such asa 4G wireless communication adapter using OFDMA technology). Applicationprograms 711 on the computing devices may be downloaded to the computingdevices from an external computer or external storage device via anetwork (for example, the Internet, a local area network or other widearea network or wireless network) and network adapter or interface 716.From the network adapter or interface 716, the programs may be loadedonto computer readable storage media 708. The network may comprisecopper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.

Computing devices may also include a display screen 720, and externaldevices 722, which may include, for example a keyboard, a computer mouseand/or touchpad. Device drivers 712 interface to display screen 720 forimaging, to external devices 722, and/or to display screen 720 forpressure sensing of alphanumeric character entry and user selections.The device drivers 712, R/W drive or interface 714 and network adapteror interface 716 may comprise hardware and software (stored on computerreadable storage media 708 and/or ROM 706).

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment. However, itshould be appreciated that any particular program nomenclature herein isused merely for convenience, and thus the disclosure should not belimited to use solely in any specific application identified and/orimplied by such nomenclature.

Based on the foregoing, a computer system, method, and computer programproduct have been disclosed. However, numerous modifications andsubstitutions can be made without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Therefore, the various embodiments have beendisclosed by way of example and not limitation.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be a system, a method,and/or a computer program product. The computer program product mayinclude a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computerreadable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carryout aspects of the present disclosure.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present disclosure may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present disclosure.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of thedisclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: one or morecomputer-readable memories storing program instructions; and one or moreprocessors configured to execute the program instructions to cause thesystem to perform operations comprising: associating one or more hapticfeedbacks with one or more user activities; monitoring current useractivity on a computing device to determine whether the current useractivity corresponds to at least one of the one or more user activities;and in response to determining that the current user activitycorresponds to a first user activity of the one or more user activities,causing a first haptic feedback of the one or more haptic feedbacks tobe provided on the computing device, wherein the first haptic feedbackis associated with the first user activity.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the associating one or more haptic feedbacks with one or moreuser activities further comprising storing the one or more hapticfeedbacks in a database in association with the one or more useractivities.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the monitoring currentuser activity on the computing device to determine whether the currentactivity corresponds to at least one of the one or more user activitiesfurther includes cross-referencing the current user activity with theone or more activities stored in the database.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the causing the first haptic feedback to be provided on thecomputing device includes causing an additional resistance to beprovided on at least a portion of a display screen of the computingdevice.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein one or more electro-statictechniques are utilized to provide the additional resistance on the atleast the portion of the display screen of the computing device.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first user activity includes attemptingto perform a purchase of an item using a first payment account, whereinthe purchase of the item would cause the first payment account beoverdrawn.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first user activityincludes attempting to perform a purchase of an item using a firstpayment option that is not a preferred payment option.
 8. A method,comprising: associating one or more haptic feedbacks with one or moreapplications; monitoring current user activity on a computing device todetermine whether the current user activity is associated with a firstapplication of the one or more applications; and in response todetermining that the current user activity is associated with the firstapplication of the one or more applications, causing a first hapticfeedback of the one or more haptic feedbacks to be provided on thecomputing device, wherein the first haptic feedback is associated withthe first application of the one or more applications.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the determining that the current user activity isassociated with the first application includes determining that thecurrent user activity is within a threshold distance of a portion of adisplay screen of the computing device that corresponds to anapplication icon of the first application.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the determining that the current user activity is associatedwith the first application includes determining that the current useractivity is a user activity taking place within the first application.11. The method of claim 8, wherein the current user activity includesuser activity that has taken place within a threshold period of time ofthe current time.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the causing thefirst haptic feedback to be provided on the computing device includescausing an additional resistance to be provided on at least a portion ofa display screen of the computing device.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein one or more electro-static techniques are utilized to providethe additional resistance on the at least the portion of the displayscreen of the computing device.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein thedetermining that the current user activity is associated with the firstapplication includes determining that a portion of the display screenthat corresponds to an application icon of the first application hasbeen engaged.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining thatthe portion of the display screen that corresponds to the applicationicon of the first application has been engaged includes determining thata cursor is within the portion of the display screen or determining thatthe application icon has been selected.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, thatin response to execution by one or more hardware processors, causes theone or more hardware processors to perform operations comprising:associating one or more haptic feedbacks with one or more useractivities; monitoring current user activity on a computing device todetermine whether the current user activity corresponds to at least oneof the one or more user activities; and in response to determining thatthe current user activity corresponds to a first user activity of theone or more user activities, causing a first haptic feedback to beprovided on the computing device, wherein the first haptic feedback isassociated with the first user activity.
 17. The non-transitory computerreadable medium of claim 16, wherein the current user activity includesuser activity that has taken place within a threshold period of time ofthe current time.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable medium ofclaim 17, wherein the causing the first haptic feedback to be providedon the computing device includes causing an additional resistance to beprovided on at least a portion of a display screen of the computingdevice.
 19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 18,wherein one or more electro-static techniques are utilized to providethe additional resistance on the at least the portion of the displayscreen of the computing device.
 20. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 16, wherein the first user activity includes attemptingto perform a purchase of an item using a first payment option that isnot a preferred payment option.